Monthly Archives: December 2011

When I heard the false rumors a few weeks ago that Jon Bon Jovi died, one of the first thoughts that entered my mind was, “Thank God I saw Bon Jovi three times this year.” Of course, Captain Kid is alive and well and his band are among the top grossing acts of the year, landing the number two spot behind U2. I saw them with my brother’s girlfriend, Meghan, at the T.D. Banknorth Garden in Boston on March 1, the day before JBJ’s birthday, and the P.A. system went out at the beginning of the show. It was restored shortly after and the show ended up being a total blast. While we sat behind the stage, we had a great view of JBJ’s behind. Then, I saw them at the Mohegan Sun Arena a few days later on March 4 with my friend, Matt, and again, they were awesome. The third time was also at Mohegan Sun but they were sans Richie Sambora, as the King of Swing was in rehab for his alcohol issues. Nevertheless, the show was fantastic. The best part was the fact that they did different sets at the shows and I heard “Dry County,” and “Hey God,” songs I never saw them perform before, which is a treat when you’ve seen a band more than a dozen times. It’s good to know JBJ is still making memories “These Days.” ;)

Bon Jovi

#2 – Hurtsmile @ Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA

I felt a special connection with vocalist Gary Cherone when I interviewed him during the summer because we chatted about his involvement with Van Halen and how he blew his voice out at a show I went to in 1998 at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Mass. As a result, he said he sometimes feels unsettled prior to performing. In the article, I quoted him as saying, “That show comes up in my mind every time I play in Boston.” But when he performed at Showcase Live in Foxboro on July 22 with his new band HURTSMILE, which features his brother, Mark, on guitar, he nailed it. I went to the show with my brother, Ernie, and we were lucky enough to get backstage passes and meet Gary and Mark afterwards. Gary said he loved the interview and Mark re-posted our link to the story on his Facebook page. That was really awesome for me. \m/

Gary Cherone & Jessica Botelho

#3 – Motley Crue @ Various Venues

If you like standing and dancing at concerts like I do, I highly advise you don’t buy seats located on the top tier of the Mohegan Sun Area – spring for lower level seats. While it’s a great venue, the “High Rollers” are often given tickets top tier seats and they have no problem telling you to sit down. I’m not sure why anyone would want to sit at a Crue show but that’s what happened to me at the July 15 gig. Feeling disappointed, I spent decent money on another ticket for their second appearance at the Comcast Center on July 19, sat 15 rows from the stage and it was worth every cent. I went alone but met up with friends before and was treated to delicious steak tips in the parking lot AND made a few new friends. The New York Dolls and Poison started the show and needless to say it was “Nothing But a Good Time.” =)

Motley Crue

#4 – James Montgomery & Cory Bellucci @ Elk’s Lodge in Warwick, RI

I interviewed the Grammy-nominated blues vocalist and harmonica player for the Warwick Beacon, the newspaper I work for full-time, the night before Thanksgiving. We met at the home of Cory Bellucci, 15, a guitarist Montgomery recently took under his wing. To promote Bellucci’s career, they booked a gig at the Elk’s Lodge in Warwick, R.I. on Dec. 2 and I got the chance to go to the show with my buddy, Alan. Hearing Montgomery praise the article I wrote to the crowd made me feel like my heart grew wings and was fluttering around in my chest. <3

James Montgomery, Jessica Botelho & Cory Bellucci

#5 – Dennis DeYoung @ Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford, MA

It’s always exceptionally awesome to see a musician perform after I interview them and going to the Dennis DeYoung show at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center on Nov. 18 was no exception. Watching him do “The Robot” to his hit song, “Mr. Roboto” was almost as awesome as watching him give his wife a love tap on her behind after he wished her happy birthday and presented her with red roses onstage. Of course, spending quality time with the co-owners of Limelight Magazine, Jason Kenney and Katie Botelho, as well as meeting DeYoung’s guitarist, August Zadra, was “The Best of Times.” ;)

Please note that the shows I booked through JKB Management and Booking are not included on this list to keep everything objective.

#1 – Sully Erna @ Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford, MA

I liked everything about this show. I loved all of the songs he played and the ambience on stage was simply amazing. It made you feel like you were in another world. And, of course, meeting him before the show was a plus!

Sully Erna & Katie Botelho

#2 – Kiss @ Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH

I loved the whole experience of this show. Seeing everyone dressed up and having their faces painted, including myself, made me feel like a kid again. All the energy and props they used on stage made it more than just a concert. It was total entertainment from beginning to end.

Katie Botelho as Paul Stanley

#3 – Blondie @ WilburTheater in Boston, MA

This show was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Being so close to the stage where I felt like I was actually on stage was something else. Seeing someone like her performing that close was simply amazing to say the least.

Katie Botelho and Deborah Harry

#4 – Pink Floyd Experience @ Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford, MA

This show seemed to put me in a different state of mind. All the visuals really put the show together. Hearing all the music that I grew up with my brother and such made it truly a special experience. And the flying pig at the end was just awesome. It topped the whole show off.

The Flying Pig

#5 – Dennis DeYoung @ Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford, MA

Even though Dennis DeYoung is number 5, I really enjoyed this show. DeYoung had such great personality on stage and his voice was amazing. The only reason why this one is last is because it didn’t have the visuals like the others had. Still a great show and I would definitely see him again. I also appreciate his guitarist letting us take a photo with him and our managing editor, Jessica Botelho.

Business is good for the heavy metal band Megadeth because fans are sweating bullets for their thirteenth studio album appropriately titled “TH1RT3EN.”

Guitarist Chris Broderick, the former guitarist for the band Jag Panzer who replaced Glen Drover in Megadeth nearly four years ago, said he is pleased by the reaction of fans and critics alike. Still, he thinks it’s too soon to have the right to go insane about the feedback.

“I always wait until a little time has passed but I’m really happy that people are receiving it very well,” he said.

The album marks the last the band will make under Roadrunner Records and is the second in their history to hit stores on Nov. 1, as 1994’s “Youthanasia” was also released on that date. They are set to be killing it on the road with Motorhead, Volbeat and Lacuna Coil for Gigantour, the critically acclaimed package festival they founded in 2005, which is the same tour name Broderick made his live debut with Megadeth on Feb. 4, 2008.

They will make stops in New England states such as Connecticut and Massachusetts and they will also perform in nearby New York.

While he doesn’t have a favorite place to gig, he said he enjoys playing for fans that are “over the top” and “very vocal” when he’s on stage.

“At the same time, there are fans that like to sit back and listen and that’s nice, as well,” said Broderick. Either way he said, “I can’t wait to go on tour. We’ll be doing four or five songs from the CD.”

According to Broderick, the CD came together “quite quickly” and they composed some of the material while on tour for the band’s last studio album “Endgame.” They worked with producer John Karkazis, better known as Johnny K, who previously worked with Disturbed, Sevendust, Machine Head and Staind, among others.

“He’s concerned about the whole aspect of the song and that’s really his strong point,” said Broderick. “It was really cool to work with him.”

In addition to “TH1RT3EN,” Broderick also recorded guitar parts on “Endgame” shortly after he came onboard. He thinks the new album is more diverse.

“‘Endgame,’ with the exception of a song or two, was pretty in your face,” Broderick said. “‘Thirteen’ pulls from ‘Endgame’ but also from every other Megadeth CD.”

In terms of guitar riffs, he enjoys tracks “Sudden Death” and “Never Dead” best. “Never Dead” can be heard in a trailer for the fantasy action video game of the same name. With the record business not being what it used to be, Broderick feels having their song in a video game is an alternative avenue to reach new fans.

“It’s a great way to get advertising for your music,” he said. “The video game almost gives the song an infinite number of music videos.”

In 1983, the year frontman Dave Mustaine founded Megadeth, the band probably never envisioned their music would be in a video game nearly 30 years later. For Broderick, he never thought he’d end up playing lead guitar for them.

“It’s such an honor to be able to play with such an awesome band,” he said. “I grew up following them and to be on stage with the guys is pretty amazing.”

But Mustaine said he thinks of Broderick as the greatest guitarist Megadeth has ever had and compared meeting Broderick to Ozzy Osbourne fusing with Randy Rhodes. Hearing that, Broderick said, is humbling and terrifying at the same time.

“It’s great that he thinks that of me but it’s like, ‘Wow. I have to live up to that,’” he said.

“The funny thing is the first year and a half that I was playing with Megadeth I never really had time to think about the position I’ve been in. Only now have I been able to relax and step back and feel comfortable with what I’m doing.”